Senate Passes Matrimonial Property Rights Bill

Senate Passes Matrimonial Property Rights Bill

Wednesday, July 07, 2010 at 14:56

A bill aimed at giving women and children more access to property rights on reserve has passed through the Senate.

Indian Affairs Minister Chuck Strahl says he’s pleased with the development.

In a release, the minister says he hopes the legislation gets speedy passage through Parliament, where it is now heading.

The bill has already come under fire from some opposition members who feel the legislation is flawed and has not been given enough debate.

However, the bill did receive a series of amendments in the Senate.

These include a clause that says a judge should consider a person’s ties to the community as they would the best interests of a child when making an order for either emergency protection or exclusive occupation of the family home — and that the collective nature of reserve lands and traditional dispute resolution methods be recognized.